DeLand's Rick Darlington back to his old ways: Winning

The 3-time state champion head coach is back in a familiar spot with a different program

DELAND, FLORIDA- Everyone checking their cell phones during last Friday's region finals taking place all over the state were in disbelief of what they were seeing. 

Total domination by the DeLand Bulldogs of the Treasure Coast Titans in a Class 3S, Region 3 final. 

The final score ended up being 37-6 in favor of the Bulldogs over the Titans and the first thing a lot of Florida high school football aficionados thought of was DeLand head coach Rick Darlington. 

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Haven't heard of the guy? Might want to do yourself a favor and do a little research because the Bulldogs' lead man has been doing this high school head coaching deal for quite awhile in the Sunshine State. 

In just Darlington's second season at the helm at DeLand, he has already transformed the program from a below .500 team to a state championship contender in Class 4S. During his time at Apopka High School, he was taking the Blue Darters to annual visits to states because that was the standard. 

During Darlington's time with the Blue Darters, he compiled an over record of 167-47 over the course of 17 seasons and winning three state championships along the way. Darlington ended up leaving Apopka after the 2018 season and bolted to Enterprise (Alabama), coaching there for three seasons and compiling a record of 20-14, with three playoff appearances. 

With all that said, Darlington knows a thing or two about winning and he has DeLand back in the state semifinals for the first time since 2009. In a day and age where spread football dominates offenses across the country, Darlington has stuck to his guns. 

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The Bulldogs run the single wing offense and continue to keep defenses on their proverbial heels. This season, DeLand on offense has totaled just under 4,500 yards with around 3,000 those coming on the ground. 

Leading the ground attack for the Bulldogs is quarterback Tyron Moore, who has proven himself to be one of the most athletic signal callers in Central Florida. Moore, a senior, this season has completed 80-of-129 passes for 1,254 yards, 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions. On the ground, Moore has tallied 1,185 yards and 11 touchdowns for the triple-option oriented Bulldogs. 

Moore isn't alone on offense as a threat to score whenever he touches the ball, with fellow senior Javon Ross carrying the rock 98 times for 935 yards and scoring 17 times. Ross is also the team's top pass catcher, hauling in 35 passes for 615 yards and eight touchdowns. 

FHSAA sets game times for 2023 Florida football state championships

DeLand (11-2) will need to play its best game of the season as they head to Powell Davis Stadium this Friday night to face the Venice Indians, who finished as the 4S state runner-ups last year. 

Both Darlington and Venice head coach John Peacock are no strangers when it comes to this round of the postseason and through all of their respective accomplishments, this will be the first time the two face off. On the line Friday night off of 1 Indian Avenue will be a trip to the Class 4S state championship on December 9th at Bragg Stadium in Tallahassee. 

It always seemed like a matter of time until Darlington would be back in this position of competing for a state championship. What was never in question was Darlington's ability to stay winning, no matter where he is coaching at. 

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FHSAA 2023 CHAMPIONSHIPS BRACKETS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 4S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 3S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 2S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1M STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1S STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

2023 FHSAA CLASS 1R STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

(Photo courtesy of DeLand Football X account)

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl